Dispatch management platform for nurse call system

ABSTRACT

A dispatch management computer system that integrates with an existing nurse call system for clinical workflow optimization and to create accountability for patient satisfaction and outcomes. The system integrates a “quarterback” (e.g., dispatcher) tablet with a custom dispatch application that presents a floor plan for tracking the RTLS position of staff members and to provide a visual indication of which room and bed the call originated from. When a patient requests assistance, the QB application presents an assessment of the patient needs and, if further assistance is required, provides the dispatcher tools for real time assignment of the appropriate staff member and dispatch to begin the task within a predetermined amount of time required to complete the task allocated. The system enables the prompt assignment of staff personnel and assures that a patient receives prompt staff attention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 62/494,378 filed 8 Aug. 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer system and method forresponding to nurse calls in a healthcare setting and, moreparticularly, to a nurse call assurance platform for clinical workflowoptimization that creates accountability for patient satisfaction andoutcomes.

2. Description of the Background

Hospitals, outpatient facilities, and nursing facilities all share acommon need for improving the time it takes in responding to the patientneeds and requests. Because of the current procedures. Typicallypatients will use a nurse call button to summon assistance. In mostfacilities this triggers a visual indication over the patient's room anda call indication at the nurse station. However, nursing staff may bebusy attending other patients or otherwise be preoccupied. They may notbe aware of the call and there is no assurance that the patient will beattended to in a timely manner. Timely attention can be critical in anemergency situation.

The average industry response today to a nurse's call is approximately 5minutes but can be as high as 30 minutes or more especially whenavailable staff is busy. This is major source of patient frustration anddissatisfaction. Several studies also show longer call response timescontribute significantly to the risk of falling.

Part of the problem is that providers do not use their nursesefficiently. Typically, a group of nurses is stationed at a centralstation, and each nurse will service a set area by continuously rotatingthrough the rooms assigned in that area to check each patient'scondition. This approach has several disadvantages. For one, a nurse maybe checking on one patient when an emergency occurs to another patient,and the alarm to the central station goes unanswered for a time. Modernnurse call systems provide for two-way communication between a patientand a nurse to avoid this, but the existing approach of assigned nurserounds is not efficient.

There have been prior efforts to automate the nurse call process as itcurrently exists.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,240,120 to Girardeau et al. (Hill-Rom)issued Jan. 19, 2016, U.S. Pat. No. 9,465,916 to Girardeau et al.(Hill-Rom) issued Oct. 11, 2016, and United States Patent Application20170004264 by Girardeau et al. (Hill-Rom) published Jan. 5, 2017 areall drawn to a system to keep track of rounding intervals for caregiversto determine whether the caregivers successfully complete their roundsin a timely manner for their assigned patients. The system uses a realtime location system (RTLS) that tracks locations of caregivers. Acentral server facilitates and tracks nurse calls and system alerts toinsure that a caregiver is adequately monitoring patients under theircare, and particularly to ensure that the caregiver remains in thepatient's room for a threshold period of time. However, there is noinput from any other users, aside from the nursing staff, nothing fromthe patient/resident about the call/request, and no capability forintegration with other enterprise systems such as records, payroll, etc.The system simply determines whether nurses complete their rounds in atimely manner for their assigned patients.

United States Patent Application 20060143044 by Conry et al. (GeneralElectric) shows a health care resource scheduling system based onperformance data for any relevant resources including personnel, serviceproviders, and so forth.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,412 to Novak et al. (Hill-Rom, Inc.) issued Oct. 1,1996 discloses a patient/nurse call system which prioritizes and storesthe calls. Hall units outside patient rooms identify the rooms fromwhich the calls originate and the type of call. Each patient stationallows selective retrieval and display of unanswered calls. Nurse-wornbadges transmit pulse-coded infrared signals which are received byreceivers at the patient stations. Receipt of a nurse's infrared signalat a room station automatically cancels a patient call originating fromthe room and display thereof by the respective hall unit, whileactuating a display to indicate nurse presence.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,544 to Chaco et al. (Hill-Rom) issuedOct. 13, 1998 shows a patient care and communication system using RTLSbadges attachment to individual personnel, a central station fordetermining the location of personnel within a health care facility, apatient station (door sign) with a staff-in-room indicator. When thecentral station determines the location of personnel in a patient room,the central station actuates the indicator assembly.

United States Patent Application 20140244298 by Robinson et al.(Hill-Rom) published Aug. 28, 2014 shows an electronic room sign systemthat combines electronic medical records (EMR) with a real time locatingsystem (RTLS). The electronic room sign is mounted adjacent a doorway ofa room of a patient and a server signaling the display to displayinformation based on information received by the server from the EMRsystem and from the RTLS.

United States Patent Application 20120310664 by Long et al. (Proventix)published Dec. 6, 2012 shows a system and method for monitoringcompliance with a workflow procedure in a hospital or other health carefacility comprising a computer device to keep track of rounds (pars.15-16), a real time locating system for tracking location of a pluralityof caregivers, and a plurality of graphical displays in communicationwith the computer device (FIGS. 5-6) for displaying patients andreminders (FIG. 6, par. 22—patient John Doe, urgent indicator andauditory alert).

United States Patent Application 20120253836 by Nolte et al. publishedOct. 4, 2012 shows an assignment system that takes a list of clinicians,a list of patients, and an estimate of the amount of resources requiredto provide care to a patient.

There are also a number of commercially-available nurse call systems.For example, the NaviCare® system marketed by Hill-Rom Company, Inc.includes software that provides a tabular display of the status ofpatients, tasks that need to be performed, patient information, statusof rooms, patient location, and other information at the variousmonitoring stations or displays located throughout the hospital. TheNaviCare® 5.2 system allows medical staff to track the status ofpatients as the patients move throughout the hospital. In the NaviCare®5.2 system, many of the various tasks that need to be performed,information about patients, and other information are represented byicons on the displayed tables.

FIG. 1 is a prior art healthcare provider network 10 that includes aworkflow system (WFS) server 14, a data storage device 16, and one ormore client PCs 18. Server 14 may be coupled to hospital network 20. Anurse call system 24 includes a nurse call server 26 and associatedclient PC's 28. There is also a location server 30, and an interactivevoice recognition (IVR) server 32. Tracking tags 42 may be mounted topieces of equipment or carried by nurses. Location server 30 executessoftware to track these tags 42. Server 30 associates the unique ID datafrom the tags 42 with ID data, such as a serial number, of thecorresponding unit 40 which receives the wireless transmission from thetags 42. There is also a pager system 60 which is with pagers 62 carriedby nurses. Server 14 and PC's 18 execute workflow software that has allof the functions and features of the Hill-Rom™ Navicare® 5.2 systemsoftware, including determining the closest nurse to a room issuing acall, and actuates that nurse's pager.

Unfortunately the foregoing references are all concerned withautomating, monitoring and enforcing an existing workflow. What isneeded is a new and improved workflow model, and a new and improvedsystem for implementing the new model on a conventional nurse callsystem as described above.

The present inventors do this with a novel “Quarterback” approach toprovide patient care. Rather than a nurse call switchboard at the nursestation, the present system requires appointment of a “Quarterback”,e.g., a designated staff member responsible for monitoring and attendingto all patient requests for assistance in a timely manner. Given thisnew business model, what is needed is a computerized nurse callassurance platform that gives the quarterback the tools and automationto achieve clinical workflow optimization, and to assume fullaccountability for patient satisfaction and outcomes. The presentinvention gives the dispatcher (quarterback) the tools and automation toquickly assess what a patient needs, determine if further assistance isrequired, select and assign an appropriate staff member, dispatch thatstaff member to begin the task with a known allotment of time requiredto complete the task, and monitor results. If the task is not completedin a timely manner, the application notifies the dispatcher and providesdetailed reports for investigation of the reason for the delay. Allinformation regarding the call, task assignment, task completion,patient information, staff position and availability are displayed inthe dispatcher's browser and statistical data is archived for reporting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide adispatch management platform for integration with an existing nurse callsystem for more efficient deployment of provider staff.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dispatch managementplatform as above that tracks and produces a new set of metrics for moreefficient deployment of provider staff.

It is another object of the invention to increase the level ofautomation of the nurse dispatch process.

It is another object to provide a system that maintains an audit trailthroughout the nurse call process.

These and other objects are herein accomplished by a dispatch managementplatform for integration with an existing nurse call system for clinicalworkflow optimization and to create accountability for patientsatisfaction and outcomes. The present platform is a hardware andsoftware solution that integrates smart devices (phones and tablets) anda Real Time Location System (RTLS) platform with existing nurse callsystem and medical records database, to enable the prompt assignment ofstaff personnel system that assures that a patient receives prompt staffattention. A “quarterback” (QB, e.g., dispatcher) is appointed and givena tablet with a custom application that presents a floor plan fortracking the position of staff members and to provide a visualindication of which room and bed the call originated from. Thequarterback relies on staff members that wear an RTLS tracking badgewith a unique ID number. The RTLS solution used relies on a combinationof trilateration and fingerprinting to determine X-Y coordinates, plusBluetooth low energy beacons which send fixed proximity information tomobile devices.

When a patient requests assistance, the QB application presents anassessment of the patient needs and, if further assistance is required,provides the QB dispatcher tools for real time assignment of theappropriate staff member and dispatch to begin the task within apredetermined amount of time required to complete the task allocated.The appropriate staff member for this is selected by their title, theirlocation as shown in the floor plan, and their availability to begin thetask. All tasks are displayed in a QB application Call Browser: the callroom and bed number, timestamp of the call, time elapsed for attendingand canceling the call, time elapsed to assign the task, the staffmember assigned to the task, the task description, the time allocated tocomplete the task, the time elapsed for task completion, patient nameand other patient information and total elapsed time.

The QB application is continuously running and keeps track of threetimed stages each affecting the patient expected wait time:

1. Call: The time from when the patient activates the nurses callbutton, creates a custom call, or a scheduled custom call is triggereduntil that call button is cancelled.

2. Assign: The time from the call button cancellation until the task isassigned and the assigned staff physically starts the task. The QB canstart the task timer (or staff member with the Nurse application whenpermitted by then QB, see below).

3. Task: The time it takes for the staff to complete the patient'sneeds.

If the task is not completed in a timely manner, the QB application CallBrowser notifies the dispatcher who can then investigate the reason forthe delay. All information regarding the call, task assignment, taskcompletion, patient information, staff position and availability aredisplayed in both the QB application Call Browser and Nurse ApplicationBrowser, and visually indicated on the floor plan. All statistical datais archived for reporting. A variety of management reports areavailable. In addition, other system features include asset tracking,temperature monitoring, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when takentogether with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a prior art hospital network and nurse callsystem.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the hardware architecture according to theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the workflow method of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a screen sprint of the QB Call Browser 154 overview screen.

FIG. 5 is a screen print of the staff browser.

FIG. 6 is a floorplan that graphically displays each staff member'sposition.

FIG. 7 is a screen print of an exemplary task list.

FIG. 8 is a screen shot of the Custom Call Scheduler.

FIG. 9 is a screen print of an exemplary Detail Screen.

FIG. 10 is a screen print of the Asset Tracking Browser.

FIG. 11 is a screen print of the Temperature Tracking Browser.

FIG. 12 is a screen print of an exemplary Call Summary Report.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a nurse call dispatch platform for workflowoptimization of the patient nurse call process that createsaccountability for patient satisfaction and outcomes.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the hardware architecture of the presentinvention integrated with an existing nurse call system such as shown inFIG. 1, the latter typically including a distributed client-serverhardware architecture as typically maintained at a healthcare facility.More specifically, the existing architecture may include a nurse callserver 14 coupled to hospital network 20, and an RTLS location server 30in communication with tracking tags 42 mounted to pieces of equipment orcarried by nurses. Location server 30 executes software to track thesetags 42. Location server 30 associates unique ID data from the tags 42with ID data, such as an ID number of the carrying nurse.

In accordance with the workflow of the present invention one person isassigned to the dispatch quarterback (QB) role, and he/she is providedwith a QB tablet 52 that executes a QB software application 54 as willbe described. The QB tablet 52 is in wireless communication with nursecall server 14 and in communication with hospital network 20 and RTLSlocation server 30 via a reliable facility Wi-Fi network 22 with aninternet backbone connection.

The QB manages task assignments to a staff of nurses or the like, andthe dispatches are made through a plurality of portable communicationsdevices (PDAs) 12 worn or carried by each nurse or staff member. PDAs 12are preferably wearable devices but may be any portable text-messagingcapable device including smart watches or smart phones each running aStaff Wear Application. PDAs 12 are capable of selectively andproactively consolidating SMS/MMS messaging in real time as messages aresent via their native text messaging application, into nurse call server14. Groups of PDAs 12 are connected to QB server 14 and to hospitalnetwork 20 via a reliable facility Wi-Fi network 22 with an internetbackbone connection. The QB server 14 hosts a resident routing databasewhich stores data authentication and verification information (usernamesand passwords) correlating to registered participants including nurses.

The hospital network 20 preferably includes a medical records repositorycomprising a database server 34 in communication with non-transitorycomputer memory 35, which may be local or any distributed storage array.The database server 34 runs database management software to providedatabase services to client-server network 20. Database managementsystems frequently provide database server functionality, and some DBMSs(e.g., MySQL) rely exclusively on the client-server model for databaseaccess. Thus, medical records repository preferably hosts a networkdatabase on the non-transitory computer memory 35, preferably an SQLserver database, and even more preferably Microsoft™ SQL Server I. Otherexamples of suitable database servers are MySQL (a popular open sourcedatabase), Oracle™, DB2™, Informix™, Ingres™, and SQL Server™. Themedical records repository 34, 35 shown in FIG. 2 is a part of the localclient/server environment 20, but may alternately be a cloud-basedrepository connected directly to the internet.

The software method of the invention, delivered through the foregoingnetwork, is a nurse call dispatch platform for clinical workflowoptimization that facilitates deployment and tracking of nurses usingPDAs 12, and creates accountability for patient satisfaction andoutcomes.

As above, a “quarterback” or QB is appointed and given the QB tablet 52with QB application 54. The QB relies on nurses and staff members towear an RTLS tracking badge 42 with a unique ID number. The LocationServer 30 can host most any commercially-available RTLS or custom beaconsolution. Currently, there are three localization techniques: proximity,trilateration (or, range-based) and fingerprinting (FP) (Hui L., DarabiH., Banerjee P., Jing L., Survey of wireless indoor positioningtechniques and systems, IEEE Trans. Syst. Man Cybern. C Appl. Rev. 2007;37:1067-1080] Some commercially available solutions provide a hybridtrilateration and fingerprinting capability such as the Purelink™embedded RTLS solution. Others use send fixed proximity information tomobile devices. In an embodiment the present system may rely on acombination of trilateration and fingerprinting to determine X-Ycoordinates, plus Bluetooth low energy beacons which send fixedproximity information to mobile devices.

Each personal badge or asset tag 42 is actually a small Bluetoothtransmitter that sends a burst of information 1 to 5 times per second.This information contains a unique badge ID, battery level, and otherinformation depending on the type of badge 42. In a preferred embodimentthe present system employs temperature badges 42 able to additionallytransmit ambient temperature, motion badges 42 meant for wear bypatients to detect movement for security, and optical asset tags 42 ableto detect door or window opening/closing.

The system performs accurate location within 3.5 meters (All RF systemsare susceptible to RF interference). In addition to trilateration andfingerprinting, the nurse tracking transmitter/receiver combinations 40provide simple Bluetooth proximity indications when a badge 42 is withinBluetooth range to supplement RTLS needs.

Importantly, for present purposes the embedded RTLS solution isconfigured to run on a client-server model using RTLS server software 32resident at location server 30, communicating with the QB application 54on tablets 52. The RTLS server software 32 comprises a separateinterface for each RTLS vendor database 31 that effectively translatesthe vendor data into a more concise format that includes all positioninginformation and is not vendor specific. Vendor-formatted data isconverted to a generic SQL-based data format by separate cross-referencetables shown below which contain positioning and other information(i.e., MobileID, TagID, Staff Name or Asset Description, X and Ycoordinates, Zone, Temperature etc.). There are five (5) separatecross-reference SQL tables as follows:

-   -   Staff    -   Assets    -   Temperature    -   Motion—e.g., for Patient movement or security    -   Optical—e.g., On doors to detect open and close

The vendor-to-SQL conversion is achieved in real-time by running one ormore cross-reference applications (each responsible for and dedicated toone RTLS vendor) continuously on the nurse call server 14 file server(thereby lowering overhead as stated above). This method accommodatesthe use of any existing RTLS OEM-installed systems at a facility or evenmultiple vendor's RTLS platforms, all of which can be easily integrated,and no update coding is ever required to the QB application or Nurseapplication.

The present system continually calculates RTLS positioning for all staffmembers in real time. The requisite calculations are not done on each QBtablet 52 to avoid throughput that might otherwise load down theapplication. This is because all the data would need to be transferredfrom the location server 30 through the hospital network 20 to the QBserver 14 and on to each QB tablet 52 and each nurse's PDA 12. In thepresent system the RTLS server software 32 actually runs constantly as aseparate application on the location server 30, which is the same server30 where the RTLS vendor database 34 data is stored. This way, allcomplex logic and data transfer need not be transmitted across theentire network. Instead, a pre-calculated subset of RTLS coordinate datais sent to the devices thereby decreasing the load and increasingthroughput. Also, updates can be centrally made, as data tables andstructures are not coded in each QB tablet 52 or nurse PDA 12.

A critical component of the present system 2 allows the QB to receivenotification of nurse calls and cancels in real time from legacy systemssuch as VisionPro™, CodeAlert™ and Dukane™. To accomplish this, thepresent system includes a data interface designed to interface withlegacy systems such as VisionPro™, CodeAlert™ and Dukane™. The datainterface is an intercept application that runs continuously on thenurse call server 14 that intercepts each nurse call from the legacysystem, cancels it, and instead sends a redirected nurse call via a TCPsocket to each QB tablet 52 for each floor or unit. Note that for olderlegacy nurse call systems that do not have a digital interface (like oldDukane™), this entails a hardware and software solution to intercept thenurse calls, to cancel, and redirect. Of course, one skilled in the artwill understand that there may be alternatives, such as using RTLS tagsor beacons located in call boxes in each patient room to forward thecalls and cancels. These would come in through the location server 30,but this is a file server that track the many tags 42 that may bepresent (multiple SQL databases are hosted on the location server 30 toprovide support for RTLS).

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the workflow method of the invention.

At step 100, a patient activates a nurse call. Patients may use wirelessnurse call buttons 46 or their room console 44 to summon assistance, apatient tablet 66 running a patient application 68 as described below,or there may be automatic diagnostic sensors such as heart monitors orthe like.

When a patient has requested assistance, at step 110 the QB server 14compiles an assessment of the patient needs and presents this to the QBon tablet 52 via QB application 54 which displays a novel QB CallBrowser. Each patient request for assistance or nurse call is displayedas an entry in a QB Call Browser queue. All tasks are displayed in theQB application Call Browser: the call room and bed number, timestamp ofthe call, time elapsed for attending and canceling the call, timeelapsed to assign the task, the staff member assigned to the task, thetask description, the time allocated to complete the task, the timeelapsed for task completion, patient name and other patient informationand total elapsed time.

At step 120 the QB proceeds to the patient's room and upon arrivaldeactivates the nurse call.

At step 130 the QB makes an initial assessment of the patient's needs.Of course, those need may range from another blanket, to a tripped heartmonitor. If at step 135 the QB is personally able to handle thepatient's needs then such is done. Even when the QB services the patientwithout other staff assistance being required, that call must still becanceled and is logged (all calls are always logged). The process jumpsto step 170 (described below).

If, on the other hand, at step 140 the QB decides that furtherassistance is required, the QB application 54 Call Browser facilitatesthe assignment process by a succession of dispatch tools for real timeassignment of the task to the appropriate nurse, based on based ontitle, their location, and their availability to begin the task within apredetermined amount of time allocated.

Tapping any nurse call entry in the QB Call Browser queue instantiates aStaff Browser to facilitate the QB's selection of a nurse to provideassistance. The Staff Browser (described in detail below) provides asorted interactive list of all staff members that were assigned a tag42. The QB can select the appropriate staff member directly.

Tapping any entry in the Staff Browser instantiates a Task QualificationListing, e.g., a display of all tasks that the selected staff member isqualified to perform (based on employment level). This way the QB canensure assignment of a nurse qualified for the task at hand. One skilledin the art should understand that this substep may be partiallyautomated by the QB application 54 by prescreening the field ofcandidates by comparison of each employee's qualifications relative tothe selected task(s).

At step 140 the QB assigns the task to the most appropriate nurse orstaff member.

At step 145 the assignment is communication instantly via that nurse'sPDA 12.

At step 150 the nurse begins the task.

At step 160 the nurse completes the task.

At step 170 the QB nurse removes the call from the queue.

The QB application 54 is continuously running and keeps track of threedistinct timed stages each affecting the patient expected wait time:

1. Call: The time from when the patient activates the nurses callbutton, creates a custom call, or a scheduled custom call is triggered,until that call button is cancelled (steps 100-120).

2. Assign: The time from the call button cancellation until the task isassigned and the assigned staff physically starts the task. The QB orstaff member can start the task timer (with the wear app when permittedby then QB. See below (Steps 120-150).

3. Task: The time it takes for the staff to complete the patient's needs(steps 150-160).

The QB application 54 maintains three separate timers for the threedistinct phases: Call Timer; Assign Timer; and Task Timer. There aremultiple timer indications indicative of the phase and time appearing onthe QB application Call Browser 154:

-   -   The timer elapsed and remaining time (timer text colors change        from green to yellow to red);    -   a radial progress bar shows percentage complete; and    -   voice alerts provide audio warning

If any phase is not completed within a predetermined time window, the QBapplication Call Browser 154 automatically notifies the QB dispatcherwho can then investigate the reason for the delay.

Importantly, the QB application Call Browser 154 monitors the foregoingand provides notice, but also dynamically compensates based oncircumstances. For example, during busy times, e.g., if there are morethan three active calls that were not yet cancelled, the QB applicationCall Browser 154 is pre-programmed to compensate (follows a ruleset thatpresumes that the QB has not gone into these patient's rooms yet) andwill automatically extend the standard time window (e.g., 30-60 seconds)to a greater vale value (e.g., 90-120 seconds) without invoking redflags or warning messages.

All information regarding the call, task assignment, task completion,patient information, staff position and availability are displayed inboth the QB application 54 Call Browser on tablet 52 and on the StaffWear Application on PDA 12. All event and time data is archived forreporting. As will be described a variety of management reports areavailable, and ancillary system features include asset tracking,temperature monitoring, etc.

The QB application 54 QB Call Browser 154 is a mobile application andmay be implemented as standalone software program on tablet 52, but ismore preferably a server-side program resident on WFS server 14 with athin-client front end on tablet 52. As explained above, the QB CallBrowser 154 includes several sequential screens for implementing the QBworkflow.

FIG. 4 is a screen sprint of the QB Call Browser 154 Overview screen,which presents a queued listing of all information regarding each queuedcall, including patient information (room, name), task information(reason for call), and the relevant phases: Call (time from when thepatient activates the nurses call button until that call button iscancelled, steps 100-120); Assign (time from the call button cancelationuntil the assigned staff starts the task, steps 120-150); or Task (timeit takes for the staff to complete the patient's needs, steps 150-160).A visual % progress icon is displayed at center. This same informationis likewise displayed on the Staff Wear Application on staff PDAs 12.

In the context of the workflow of FIG. 2, when a patient requestsassistance at step 110 the relevant information appears in the QB CallBrowser overview screen. A call light icon turns red as shown in thelast line item. That particular call enters the Call phase and the Calltimer counts down.

The QB proceeds to the patient's room (step 120) and upon arrivaldeactivates the nurse call, ceasing the Call timer. This can be doneusing nurse call room console 44 (FIG. 2) or directly through the QBCall Browser 154 “Cancel” button. The call light icon turns white. Thecall enters the Assign phase and that timer begins to counts down. Notethat the message in red on the top displays the status of the connectionto the nurses call system. Icons at bottom provide options to create aCustom Call, Schedule Custom Call, Comment, Send an Email to appropriatestaff members or department regarding the patient,

Next the QB makes an initial assessment of the patient's needs (step130), and if personally able to handle the patient's needs then such isdone. However, if the QB decides further assistance is required, then atstep 140 the QB application 54 Call Browser partially automates theassignment process by a succession of QB dispatcher screens and toolsfor real time assignment of the appropriate nurse.

Beginning at the QB Call Browser 154 Overview screen of FIG. 4, the QBviews the queued listing of all information regarding each call,including patient information (room, name), task information (reasonsfor call), and the relevant phases: Call (time from when the patientactivates the nurses call button until that call button is twillprogress to display a Staff Browser to facilitate the QB's assessment ofstaff qualifications, location and on/off duty.

FIG. 5 is a screen print of the Staff Browser. The Staff Browser pollsthe location server 30 and displays each staff member's title, location,an icon of their face, and availability to begin the task (Oncall,Offline, Online). All staff members that were assigned a tag 42 arelisted along with the staff member's job title and an icon indicatinglocation within the facility (see Floor Plan below). Each staff member'sunique Tag ID and Mobile ID are shown. The Tag ID is engraved on thewearable tag 42. It is used when the staff member to logs into the StaffWear application to identify the staff member. Again, based on theforegoing task selection the QB application 54 may apply apre-programmed ruleset to prescreen the field of candidates bycomparison of each employee's qualifications relative to the selectedtask(s). Only qualified candidate nurses or other employees aredisplayed. The staff queue is sorted in priority of 1) Online/Offline;2) RTLS location (e.g., on QB's Current Floor); 3) already Selected(Yellow Arrow pointed down indicating that staff member was alreadyselected). “Online” means a tag 42 is detected and is in range, the RTLSlocation being shown. Otherwise, Offline is shown and “Out of Range” isspecified for location.

The QB may tap a staff member's photo within the desired cell to selectthat staff member, in which case the yellow arrow changes from up todown. Up to three staff members may be assigned to a single task. Thisparticular sequence optimizes the manner by which the assignment processis completed and also maximizes the degree to which artificialintelligence (rule-based decision making) can be brought to bear.

If the QB needs further information to make the decision they may taponce on the staff photo to engender a detail screen explaining employeetask-qualifications relative to each employee based on their stafflevel. A double tap allows the QB to send messages (as will bedescribed).

FIG. 7 is a screen print of an exemplary task-qualifications page,engendered by clicking on a particular staff member in the staff browserof FIG. 5. This graphically illustrates the tasks that the selectedstaff member is qualified to perform based on employment level relativeto categorically-defined tasks. The appropriate tasks for that jobposition are displayed. Swiping left or right causes other Taskgroupings to appear. Task groups include:

-   -   CNA Tasks    -   RN Tasks    -   Housekeeping Tasks    -   Maintenance Tasks    -   Administrative Tasks (There is a No Task Required icon choice        within this group)    -   Kitchen Tasks

Within the Task groups specific tasks appear, such as the following:

-   -   perform physical exam;    -   provide counseling and education;    -   administer medication;    -   administer wound care;    -   deliver food;    -   take blood sample; etc.

The QB can select the appropriate staff member. One skilled in the artwill readily understand that this process may be partially automated byruleset comparisons that prioritize and/or foreclose certain choices.

The QB application 54 may, in an embodiment, automatically prescreen thefield of candidates by comparison of each employee's qualificationsrelative to the selected task(s). In this case QB application 54automatically applies a rule-based decision engine that filterscandidates to complete the assigned task(s) based on the clinicalrequirements of the most demanding task, relative to pre-programmedemployee qualifications, e.g., Registered Nurses are qualified toperform physical exams and health histories, administer medication,etc., Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are assigned specific clinicalprivileges, as are Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists,Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Licensed Practical Nurses, etc.Where multiple candidates are qualified QB application 54 may scoreother attributes to determine the best assignments. This way, the QB canensure that the assignment is based on attributes or factors that bestmeet the task and/or patient-centric criteria. These scores may becommunicated to the QB in the next screen.

The second dispatch tool shown in FIG. 6 is a floorplan that graphicallydisplays each staff member's position by mapping a facial icon onto afloorplan map of the facility in real time. The floorplan display anicon photo of the staff member that was selected in the QB application54, as well as other staff members selected (up arrows).

After viewing the floorplan, the QB turns back to the Staff Browser ofFIG. 5 and assigns the task to the most appropriate nurse or staffmember simply by clicking their facial icon (step 140). Given the nurseassignment the WFS server 14 populates the QB Call Browser 154 with theselected nurse's profile, which includes task qualifications. Thisallows the QB a quick visual cross-check of the assignment.

Once this is done the nurse and task assignment is communicationinstantly to that nurse's PDA 12, and the Assignment Timer is initiated.The task is then started. The QB may return to the QB Call BrowserOverview screen. Alternately, the QB Call Browser Overview screen can beadvanced to a Detail Screen.

In addition to patient-requested nurse calls, any QB or nurse mayschedule a Custom Call via their respective QB Browser or Nurse Browser.This way, a nurse or QB walking by that sees a patient that requiresassistance can take action. A Scheduler for custom calls is provided inthe QB Browser for any patient at any time either for a single call orrecurring assistance.

FIG. 8 is a screen shot of the Custom Call Scheduler.

FIG. 9 is a screen print of an exemplary Detail Screen. The DetailScreen displays the relevant selections for that specific task. Thisagain includes patient information (room, name), task assignmentinformation, and both Call time (from when the patient activates thenurses call button until that call button is cancelled), and Assign Time(from the call button cancelation until the assigned staff starts thetask). The remaining time required to complete the task is displayed andalarms are presented to the QB when the any times are exceeded. Thenurse completes the task and removes the call from the queue (step 170)using their Staff Wear Application on PDA 12.

In addition to implementing the above-described workflow the QBapplication Call Browser 154 provides for additional functionality as itrelates to a particular call. For one, the QB may initiate a nurse callsequence without using the patient's nurse call button, directly fromthe QB application 54. This allows the QB to organize nurse callnotifications in advance to appear on the call browser at recurringspecific times or intervals.

The QB application 54 also provides a note taking feature that allowsthe QB to append a comment to any selected call. The comment is archivedwith the call information and shown in reporting. User defined text canbe inserted to alert the current and other shift QB's about specialpatient needs (e.g. fall status, wander risks, food allergies,distressed patient and isolation precautions etc.)

The QB application 52 also provides several enhanced communicationfeatures, including Unit Alarming and Messaging. For this the systemintegrates a dedicated two-way messaging platform allowing text messages(SMS) and multimedia messages (MMS) directly between predefined groups.Text messages (SMS) are used for point-to-point communication to/fromthe QB tablet 52 and each nurse's PDA 12. Multimedia messages (MMS) areused for unit alarming. For the latter, special SOS groups arepredefined to receive multimedia messages (MMS) alarms sent from any QBtablet 52 or nurse's PDA 12. These alarms include at least thefollowing:

-   -   1. Code Blue group: alerts everyone of code blue with location;    -   2. All staff on unit: alerts all staff in the unit of a general        urgent assistance needed in specific location.    -   3. Nurse group: alerts nurses and QB on the unit of a specific        need for a specific patient.

For example, there is an in-app email feature that allows the QB to sendan email regarding the selected call to department heads or anothermanagement staff. This initiates conversation between the QB anddepartment heads so they are aware of follow up for a specific task.

There is an in-app Quarterback to Quarterback messaging feature thatallows the QBs to reach out to other QB's in the facility to requestadditional staff support.

There is also a Code Blue Alert Feature to alert other QBs and staffmembers of an emergency code blue.

The QB application 54 also provides access to several other browsers forimplementing the QB workflow.

For example, there is a Patient Browser that gives the QB quick accessto important patient medical information. This information comes fromthe EHR/patient care database 35 (FIG. 2).

Tracking tags 42 may also be mounted on equipment (as opposed to nurses)and the QB application assigns an asset ID code to separately trackthese asset tags 42. Server 30 associates the unique ID data from thetags 42 with asset data, such as a serial number, of the correspondingHoyer Lift.

FIG. 10 is a screen print of the Asset Tracking Browser, which generallycomprises a menu of icons each representing a class of asset. Any iconcan be clicked to provide a listing of all site assets within thatcategory (name, model, tag UD, serial number, and location by floor androom). This allows quick location of any asset by category. When thereare multiple assets of the same type, each will be listed with theirfloor and location. Quick location of medical devices allows staff toperform tasks in a time efficient method. It also protects against theftand provides instant inventory accounting.

There are also special-purpose temperature tracking tags 42 to monitorthe temperature of rooms or assets. When a temperature falls outside ofa predetermined range, an alarm and email is automatically sent do theappropriate staff member or department. Refrigerator alarms are sampledmultiple times before sending and alarm to avoid false alarming eachtime the fridge is opened.

FIG. 11 is a screen print of the Temperature Tracking Browser, whichgenerally comprises a menu of icons each representing something forwhich the temperature is being monitored, e.g., a refrigerator. Any iconcan be clicked to provide a detailed listing of all assets within thatcategory for which temp is being tracked (name, model, tag UD, serialnumber, and location by floor and room). This allows quick location ofany asset by category.

The QB application 52 also provides a Schedule Module that display thefacility general schedule and the QB's personal schedule includingtherapy appointments, medication and treatment time ranges, meal times,event times, appointments, etc.

The QB application 52 also provides an Endorsement Tool that formalizesthe process of shift to shift endorsement (update and warm handoff) ofpertinent concerns regarding imminent and upcoming patient needs.

Similar to the QB tablet 52 which executes a QB software application 54as described above, patients may also be provided with a patient tablet66 running a patient application 68 in wireless communication with nursecall server 14 and in communication with hospital network 20. Thepatient tablet is preferably a 6″ or 8″ touchscreen tablet tethered tothe bed in a manner similar to a traditional nurse call button, housedin a custom protective case, and powered from a standard wall socket orfrom the existing nurse's wall mounted call box. The patient application68 is crash proof (when the tablet 66 restarts it reloadsautomatically). The patient tablet 66 and application 68 provides fortraditional nurses call and cancel functionality, and is intended toprovide an alternative to the traditional nurse call button. Toward thatend it instantiates to a Patient Browser which displays large CALL andCANCEL buttons, and allows the patient to indicate the reason of thecall. This allows the QB to assign most tasks without coming to theroom. In addition, the QB respond to the patient's request, e.g., “yourpain medication is on the way.” The patient application 68 displays theCall Timer and Assign Timer, and as soon as a call is made theapplication starts counting down based on the system set expectedinitial response time. These timers may be extended manually by the QBwhen the situation is appropriate, for purpose of giving the patient thebenefit of notification that it will take a bit more time. As above, thepatient tablet also has integrated communication (voice, text, video)with the QB who can interact with the patient right away, possiblyallowing some nurse calls to be moved to the Assign phase right away.Note that the interactivity of the patient tablet 66 allows a fullyremote implementation of the Quarterback, such that the QB may beremotely located in the administration department or even at home. Thenurse call sequence is slightly modified from that described above asfollows:

1. Patient presses CALL button on Patient Browser 68;

2. QB responds through the tablet 66 itself and asks the patient what isrequired (Call phase);

3. Remote QB determine how long it will take to have the closest andavailable staff member attend to the patient's needs and informs thepatient. The patient application 68 displays estimated remaining time;

4. QB finds the appropriate staff member and assigns the task as above.

5. The assigned staff member gets notification through their Staff Weardevice of a task pending (Assign Phase).

6. The staff member (or QB) starts the task. (Task Phase)

7. The staff member sees a counter on the wear device showing remainingtime for the Task Phase. The QB sees the same timer.

8. If the staff member requires additional time, he/she taps their StaffWear device. This is reflected in the QB tablet 52 as well as thepatient's estimated time on their tablet 66.

9. When the task is completed, the staff member presses Complete ontheir Staff Wear device.

10. QB can follow up with the patient if desired.

The patient application 68 also includes a Schedule Module as for thepatient's scheduling as described above, and a Solution Center modulethat allows the patient to send questions and communication requestsdirectly to various departments. It preferably also incorporate featuresto allow patients, family and friends to directly communicate with eachother. Using the patient tablet 66 with patient application the patientcan accomplish the following:

-   -   Order from a selected menu based on dietary needs.    -   View and add information to their Patient Schedule Module.    -   Request support from Guest Services.    -   Make Service requests (food, beauty shop, massage, physician        request, etc.)    -   Schedule appointments    -   Sign up for Activities    -   Schedule Activities    -   Maintain a Therapy Schedule    -   Submit a patient evaluation for feedback.    -   Receive periodic event notifications thus providing for an        exceptional patient experience, e.g., dinner will be served in        15 minutes.

The Staff Wear Application similarly provides for tracking tasks andproviding communications between the QB's and other staff members, andCode Blue Facility and Unit alarming, as well as a Nurse Requestfunction (described below when, for example, a staff member requires anurse to immediately access or address an urgent issue with a patient).The Staff Wear Application can be installed on any smart device 12 (FIG.2). The Staff Wear Application is preferably programmed in Android Wear2.0, and is similar to the QB Application Browser 54 but made to displaylimited information per screen. The different screens include thefollowing:

-   -   Task Page: for staff to see their task assignments and indicate        task is completed;    -   A count down timer for the current task;    -   QB location;    -   two-way communication with specific buttons for each staff        member and an emergency button to communicate to all staff.

In addition to the QB Tablet 52, a room door tablet 56 may be mountedoutside each room, and run a Room Door Tablet Application 58 connectedto the facility WAN or network 20 to provide the most recent patientinformation shown in real time. The default display includes RoomNumber, Patient Name, Patient Isolation Flag, Patient Fall Risk Flag,Discharged, Deep Clean Required Flag, Ready For Inspection Flag, Roomhas Been Inspected Flag, and Room Change in Progress Flag. The room doortablet 56 enables smoother transitions during admissions, discharges androom changes. The Room Door Tablet Application 58 is likewise aweb-based thin client front end that allows administration staff to sendmessage flags to the door tablets, display the status of each tablet byroom number in real-time. The Room Door Tablet Application 58 is tightlyintegrated with the QB application and Staff Wear application. Thus, forexample, a code blue alarm will cause a distressed patient's Room DoorTablet Application 58 to flash critical information and audio messaging.Other Room Door Tablet Applications 58 may display graphic arrowspointing in the direction of the emergency.

As indicated above all statistical data regarding Call (time from whenthe patient activates the nurses call button until that call button iscancelled, steps 100-120), Assign (time from the call button cancelationuntil the assigned staff starts the task, steps 120-150), and Task (timeit takes for the staff to complete the patient's needs, steps 150-160),is archived for reporting and compiled into a variety of informativemanagement reports as follows:

Call Summary Report

This report is a displays all the Call, Assign, and Task time detail forcalls for a selected date range. FIG. 11 is a screen print of anexemplary Call Summary Report. A Call Time Threshold is used todetermine over-time indications by using different colors. A graphicalsummary data is available at the end of the report.

Call Detail Report by Date and Time Range

This is an ad hoc report will list the details of each call by timestampand include all details about all calls within a date time range. Calldetails include: Room; Bed; Call Time; Assign Time; Task Time; ResidentName; Patient ID EMR; Quarterback Name; Staff Assigned To Name(s); StaffAssigned To Position(s) (CNA, RN, etc.); Comment Text; Email Sent Flag;and Custom Call Flag.

Call Detail Report by Room & Bed Number

This report lists the details of each call by timestamp for each roomand bed for a selected date and time period. This allows for a detailedreview of the quality of care offered to a patient.

Call details include: Room, Bed, Call Time, Assign Time, Task Time,Resident Name, Patient ID EMR, Quarterback Name, Staff Assigned ToName(s), Staff Assigned To Position(s) (CNA, RN, etc.), Comment Text,Email Sent Flag, Custom Call Flag.

Detail Report by Quarterback

This report displays call, assign, and task time by individual QB for aselected time period. A Call Time Threshold is used to determineover-time indications by using different colors. A summary score isprovided for each QB to be used for comparison and for performanceevaluation.

Detail Report by Staff Member Response

This report displays the task time by Staff Member for a selected timeperiod. A Call Time Threshold is used to determine over-time indicationsby using different colors. A summary score is provided for each staffmember to be used for comparison and for performance evaluation.

It should now be apparent that the above-described invention provides animproved dispatch management system for workflow optimization of thepatient-nurse call process, that integrates with existing healthcareprovider client-server networks hosting a medical records database. Thedispatch management system increases the level of automation of thenurse dispatch process, facilitates more efficient deployment ofprovider staff, and fully tracks and produces a new set of metrics formore efficient management and oversight of provider staff. In addition,the system maintains an audit trail throughout the nurse call process.

This has been a description of the present invention and, the preferredembodiment of the present invention, as well as various alternateembodiments of the present invention.

We claim:
 1. A dispatch management system for workflow optimization ofthe patient-nurse call process, said dispatch management system beingintegrated with an existing healthcare provider client-server networkincluding a computer network in communication with a medical recordsdatabase and a nurse call system, the dispatch management systemcomprising: a plurality of RTLS tracking tags each identified by aunique identification code, each assigned to a nurse, and eachperiodically transmitting a message at least including said uniqueidentification code and location information; an RTLS location server incommunication with said healthcare provider client-server network, saidRTLS location server comprising a computer having non-transitorycomputer memory connected to said healthcare provider client-servernetwork, said RTLS location server running application softwarecomprising computer instructions stored on said non-transitory computermemory for tracking a real time position of each of said RTLS trackingtags; a nurse call server in communication with said healthcare providerclient-server network, said nurse call server comprising a computerhaving non-transitory computer memory connected to said healthcareprovider client-server network, said nurse call server runningapplication software comprising computer instructions stored on saidnon-transitory computer memory for maintaining a database of nurses andassociated identification codes, and for querying said RTLS locationserver to determine a position of said nurses within a facility; aportable quarterback (QB) computer in communication with said nurse callserver, said portable QB computer connected to said healthcare providerclient-server network, said portable QB computer running a QB computerapplication for displaying a QB Call Browser comprising a plurality ofscreens inclusive of an overview screen presenting a nurse callcancellation button, a task selection screen comprising a listing ofcategorical tasks selectable for assignment to a designated nurse, and aqueued listing of all requested nurse calls including patient room,name, reason for call, said QB Application further comprising a timerfor tracking time to completion of at least three stages of each nursecall inclusive of Call Time from when a patient activates a nurses callbutton until actuation of the nurse call cancellation button, an AssignTime from said cancellation actuation until an assigned nurse begins anassigned task, and Task Time for the assigned nurse to complete theassigned task; a plurality of mobile devices each identified by a uniqueidentification code and each assigned to a nurse, each mobile devicebeing connected to said nurse call server, and each mobile devicecomprising a computer running application software comprising a NurseBrowser for remotely displaying a subset of information displayed onsaid QB Call Browser.
 2. The dispatch management system according toclaim 1, wherein said Nurse Browser displays an instant notificationwhen said QB assigns a task to the assigned nurse.
 3. The dispatchmanagement system according to claim 1, wherein said QB Call Browserdeactivates said Call Time timer and activates said Assign Time timerwhen said QB assigns a task to the assigned nurse.
 4. The dispatchmanagement system according to claim 3, wherein said Nurse Browserincludes a control for accepting a QB assigned task by the assignednurse.
 5. The dispatch management system according to claim 4, whereinsaid QB Call Browser displays an instant notification when said assignednurse actuates said control to accept a QB assigned task.
 6. Thedispatch management system according to claim 5, wherein said QB CallBrowser deactivates said Assign Time timer and activates said Task Timetimer when said assigned nurse actuates said control to accept a QBassigned task.
 7. The dispatch management system according to claim 6,wherein said Nurse Browser includes a control for indicating completionof a QB assigned task by the assigned nurse.
 8. The dispatch managementsystem according to claim 7, wherein said QB Call Browser displays aninstant notification when said assigned nurse actuates said control toindicate completion of a QB assigned task.
 9. The dispatch managementsystem according to claim 8, wherein said QB Call Browser deactivatessaid Task Time timer when said assigned nurse actuates said control toindicate completion of a QB assigned task.
 10. The dispatch managementsystem according to claim 1, wherein said QB Call Browser displays anassignment page listing only qualified candidates for completion of aselected task.
 10. The dispatch management system according to claim 1,further comprising a portable Room Door computer in communication withsaid nurse call server, said portable QB computer connected to saidhealthcare provider client-server network, said portable Room Doorcomputer running a Room Door computer application for displaying patientinformation in real time.
 11. The dispatch management system accordingto claim 10, wherein said patient information at least includes RoomNumber, Patient Name, Patient Isolation Flag, Patient Fall Risk Flag,Discharged, Deep Clean Required Flag, Ready For Inspection Flag, Roomhas Been Inspected Flag, and Room Change in Progress Flag.
 12. Thedispatch management system according to claim 1, wherein said QB CallBrowser displays a floorplan page comprising a map of a facility and areal time position of a plurality of nurses determined from said RTLSlocation server.
 13. The dispatch management system according to claim1, further comprising a plurality of RTLS tracking tags each identifiedby a unique identification code, each assigned to an asset, and eachperiodically transmitting a message at least including said uniqueidentification code.
 14. The dispatch management system according toclaim 13, wherein said QB Call Browser displays an asset page comprisingreal time position of a each assigned asset determined from said RTLSlocation server.
 15. The dispatch management system according to claim1, wherein at least some of said RTLS tracking tags periodicallytransmits temperature.
 16. The dispatch management system according toclaim 1, wherein said RTLS location server application softwarecomprises computer instructions stored on said non-transitory computermemory for tracking a real time position of each of said RTLS trackingtags by at least two from the group consisting of trilateration,fingerprinting and proximity sensing.
 17. The dispatch management systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said RTLS tracking tags periodicallytransmit Bluetooth low energy beacons.
 18. In combination with a legacynurse call system in communication with a hospital computer network forallowing healthcare patients to summon healthcare staff, a system fornurse call dispatch workflow optimization, comprising: a nurse callserver computer; an interface to said legacy nurse call systemconfigured to notify said nurse call server computer when a patientmakes a nurse call to said legacy nurse call system; a real-timelocation service (RTLS) computer server in communication with aplurality of tracking tags, some of said plurality of tracking tagsbeing worn by said healthcare staff; a plurality of personal digitalassistants (PDAs) each being worn by a respective member of saidhealthcare staff, each in communication with said nurse call servercomputer, and each PDA having non-transitory computer memory running astaff wear application comprising computer instructions stored on thenon-transitory computer memory for executing the treatment plan; aportable quarterback (QB) computing tablet assigned to a supervisorymember of said healthcare staff, said QB tablet being in communicationwith said nurse call server and all of said plurality of PDAs, and saidQB tablet having non-transitory computer memory running a QB applicationcomprising computer instructions stored on the non-transitory computermemory for compiling an assessment of patient needs when said interfacenotifies said nurse call server computer when a patient makes a nursecall to said legacy nurse call system and display the assessment on theQB tablet inclusive of room and bed number, timestamp, and time elapsedfor attending the call.
 19. The system for nurse call dispatch workflowoptimization according to claim 18, wherein said QB application displaysa QB browser with a control to deactivate the nurse call.
 20. The systemfor nurse call dispatch workflow optimization according to claim 19,wherein said QB application displays a timer to track lapsed timebetween initiation and deactivation of the nurse call.
 21. The systemfor nurse call dispatch workflow optimization according to claim 20,wherein said QB application provides an alarm if said lapsed timebetween initiation and deactivation of the nurse call exceeds apredetermined threshold.
 22. The system for nurse call dispatch workflowoptimization according to claim 21, wherein said QB browser provides adispatch screen with controls allowing said supervisory staff member toassign said nurse call to any one of said plurality of healthcare staffmembers.
 23. The system for nurse call dispatch workflow optimizationaccording to claim 22, wherein said QB application is configured to sendan alert to that PDA in custody of a staff member to whom a nurse callis assigned via said QB browser.
 24. The system for nurse call dispatchworkflow optimization according to claim 23, wherein said staff wearapplication is configured to emit an alert to said assigned staff memberupon receipt of said alert.
 25. The system for nurse call dispatchworkflow optimization according to claim 24, wherein said QB applicationdisplays a timer to track lapsed time between QB cancellation of saidnurse call and staff assignment.
 26. The system for nurse call dispatchworkflow optimization according to claim 25, wherein said QB applicationprovides an alarm if said lapsed time between QB cancellation and staffassignment exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 27. The system for nursecall dispatch workflow optimization according to claim 26, wherein saidQB application and said staff wear application display a timer to tracklapsed time between assignment of said initiation and deactivation ofthe nurse call.
 28. The system for nurse call dispatch workflowoptimization according to claim 27, wherein said staff wear applicationcomprises a control for allowing said assigned staff member to cancelsaid nurse call upon visiting said patient's room.
 29. The system fornurse call dispatch workflow optimization according to claim 28, whereinsaid QB application and said staff wear application display a timer totrack lapsed time between staff assignment and cancellation of saidnurse call.
 30. The system for nurse call dispatch workflow optimizationaccording to claim 29, wherein said QB application provides an alarm ifsaid lapsed time between staff assignment and cancellation of said nursecall exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 31. A method for nurse calldispatch workflow optimization, comprising the steps of: providing anurse call server computer; providing an interface to a legacy nursecall system configured to notify said nurse call server computer when apatient makes a nurse call to said legacy nurse call system; providing areal-time location service (RTLS) computer server in communication witha plurality of tracking tags, and assigning each said tracking tag to beworn by one of said healthcare staff; providing each of said healthcarestaff with a personal digital assistant (PDA) in communication with saidnurse call server computer, and each PDA having non-transitory computermemory running a staff wear application comprising computer instructionsstored on the non-transitory computer memory for executing the treatmentplan; providing a supervisory staff member with a portable quarterback(QB) computer tablet in communication with said nurse call server andall of said plurality of PDAs, said QB tablet having non-transitorycomputer memory running a QB application comprising computerinstructions stored on the non-transitory computer memory for compilingan assessment of patient needs when said interface notifies said nursecall server computer when a patient makes a nurse call to said legacynurse call system displaying the assessment on the QB tablet inclusiveof room and bed number, timestamp, and time elapsed for attending thecall; displaying a control to deactivate the nurse call; and displayinga timer to track lapsed time between initiation and deactivation of thenurse call.
 32. The method for nurse call dispatch workflow optimizationaccording to claim 31, further comprising a step of emitting an alarm ifsaid lapsed time between initiation and deactivation of the nurse callexceeds a predetermined threshold.
 33. The method for nurse calldispatch workflow optimization according to claim 32, further comprisinga step of displaying a dispatch screen with controls allowing saidsupervisory staff member to assign said nurse call to any one of saidplurality of healthcare staff members.
 33. The method for nurse calldispatch workflow optimization according to claim 33, further comprisinga step of sending an alert to that PDA in custody of a staff member towhom a nurse call is assigned via said QB browser.
 34. The method fornurse call dispatch workflow optimization according to claim 33, furthercomprising a step of tracking lapsed time between QB cancellation ofsaid nurse call and staff assignment, and emitting an alarm if saidlapsed time between QB cancellation and staff assignment exceeds apredetermined threshold.
 35. The method for nurse call dispatch workflowoptimization according to claim 34, further comprising a step oftracking lapsed time between assignment of said initiation anddeactivation of the nurse call, and emitting an alarm if said lapsedtime exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 36. The method for nurse calldispatch workflow optimization according to claim 35, wherein said staffwear application comprises a control for allowing said assigned staffmember to cancel said nurse call upon visiting said patient's room. 37.The method for nurse call dispatch workflow optimization according toclaim 36, further comprising a step of tracking lapsed time betweenstaff assignment and cancellation of said nurse call, and emitting analarm if said lapsed time between staff assignment and cancellation ofsaid nurse call exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 38. The method fornurse call dispatch workflow optimization according to claim 37, furthercomprising a step of displaying a listing of all staff members wearingone of said tracking tags and in range of said RTLS computer server. 39.The method for nurse call dispatch workflow optimization according toclaim 38, further comprising a step of displaying a floorplan indicatinglocation of all staff members wearing one of said tracking tags and inrange of said RTLS computer server.